Integrated Masters or Bachelors then Masters

2

I’m applying to uni at the end of this year for chemistry, and I’ve seen integrated masters courses but I’m not exactly sure how an integrated masters impacts my degree.
I’ve heard lots of conflicting information in terms of funding and whether an integrated masters is the same as a separate postgraduate masters. I would really appreciate any explanation as to the differences and benefits of each.

For context I live in Scotland and am hoping to apply to Edinburgh university.

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 1

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Reply 2

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

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Original post

by Sjkrheudjsnjri

I’m applying to uni at the end of this year for chemistry, and I’ve seen integrated masters courses but I’m not exactly sure how an integrated masters impacts my degree.
I’ve heard lots of conflicting information in terms of funding and whether an integrated masters is the same as a separate postgraduate masters. I would really appreciate any explanation as to the differences and benefits of each.

For context I live in Scotland and am hoping to apply to Edinburgh university.

According to Edinburgh's website, integrated masters are 5-year degrees that "entail in-depth study often with a research focus, but they are undergraduate degree programmes and are not equivalent to a postgraduate masters." (Source: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/how-degrees-work/structures)

You would be eligible to have your tuition fees paid for the integrated masters as per SAAS terms for undergraduate funding. With a postgraduate masters, you need to pay the tuition fees and you can apply for a loan from SAAS to help cover this:

https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/postgraduate/uk-eu/other-funding/psas

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by Sjkrheudjsnjri

I’m applying to uni at the end of this year for chemistry, and I’ve seen integrated masters courses but I’m not exactly sure how an integrated masters impacts my degree.
I’ve heard lots of conflicting information in terms of funding and whether an integrated masters is the same as a separate postgraduate masters. I would really appreciate any explanation as to the differences and benefits of each.

For context I live in Scotland and am hoping to apply to Edinburgh university.

Normally integrated masters are undergrad programmes as above and funded under the undergraduate model, however having an integrated undergraduate masters usually means you can't get SFE funding for a standalone masters under equivalent or lower qualification (ELQ). However this is based largely on the SFE picture and it may be different for SAAS which I'm less familiar with.

Typically an integrated undergraduate masters course is better "value for money" relative to the fees and financial support available. However usually standalone masters courses can be much more specific for particular specialist fields whereas the final year of an integrated undergraduate masters may be a little more broad.

Realistically in most cases I don't think either is objectively "better" than the other for e.g. academic training, employability etc. so it's just a case of the financial picture and range and depth of optional modules which tend to differentiate them.

Bear in mind you can usually start on the integrated undergraduate masters then switch to the bachelors course within the first couple years as a matter of administrative paperwork at the uni, so if you're unsure I'd probably suggest aiming for the MChem as you can then still choose to swap into the BSc after you've been able to be there for a year or so and speak to your personal tutor at the uni about it :smile:

Integrated Masters or Bachelors then Masters

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